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Load detection structure for vehicle seat

  • US 6,520,023 B2
  • Filed: 11/07/2001
  • Issued: 02/18/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A load detection structure in combination with a vehicle seat including a seat cushion and a support leg means for supporting the vehicle seat, said load detection structure being disposed below the seat cushion and including a load detection means for detecting a load applied from an occupant on the vehicle seat,wherein said load detection means comprises:

  • a block member having an elongated body extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, said block member having a rigid yet elastically deformable property and including, defined therein, a securing portion, a pivotal end portion, and a thin intermediate portion between said securing portion and said pivotal end portion, wherein said pivotal end portion has an upper side lower than an upper side of said securing portion, and said thin intermediate portion is defined by forming a recession in an upper side region of the block member in a direction transversely thereof at a point between said securing portion and said pivotal end portion;

    a strain gauge means fixedly attached to said thin intermediate portion of said block member;

    a vertically guiding and connecting means provided in said securing portion of the block member, said support leg means and said bottom side of the seat cushion, said vertically guiding and connecting means being for securely connecting said securing portion of the block member with a bottom side of said seat cushion and guiding said securing portion in a vertical direction so that the securing portion is displaceable vertically in a generally rectilinear direction between said bottom side of the seat cushion and said support leg means; and

    said block member being interposed between said bottom side of the seat cushion and said support leg means in such a manner that said securing portion of the block member is securely connected with said bottom side of the seat cushion by said vertically guiding and connecting means, whereas said pivotal end portion of the block member is pivotally connected with said support leg means at a predetermined pivot point, wherein, when a downward load is applied to the seat in a vertical direction, said securing portion of the block member is displaced in a generally rectilinear downward direction, while at the same time, said pivotal end portion of the block member is rotated about said predetermined pivot point, whereupon a difference is caused in movement and direction between said securing portion and said pivotal end portion, thereby causing a deflection of said thin intermediate portion, and, in response thereto, said strain gauge detects an amount of said deflection and emits a corresponding value indicative of an amount of said load.

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